Huber needle with anti-rebound safety mechanism

ABSTRACT

A safety needle device is provided for protecting a user against needle-stick injuries. This needle device includes a needle housing having a distal housing opening. A needle is disposed within the needle housing and has a distal needle portion which extends away therefrom through the distal housing opening. An elongate sheath assembly surrounds the needle within the needle housing. A biasing member is engaged to the sheath assembly and is configured to apply a force thereupon towards the distal housing opening. The biasing member defines a centerline which is parallel to the needle&#39;s distal needle portion. An indexer is engaged to the biasing member and is operative to increase or decrease a spring force of the biasing member by rotating the indexer. A trigger member is engaged to the biasing member for retaining the sheath assembly within the needle housing against the force urging the sheath assembly towards the distal housing opening. The trigger member is sized and configured to release the biasing member. This allows the sheath assembly to transition towards and out of the distal housing opening via the force to thereby enclose the distal needle portion therewith.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/931,536 filed Sep. 1, 2004, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/688,119 entitled “HUBER NEEDLE WITH ANTI-REBOUND SAFETY MECHANISM” filed Oct. 17, 2003, now abandoned which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/375,963 entitled “HUBER NEEDLE WITH ANTI-REBOUND SAFETY MECHANISM” filed Feb. 28, 2003, now U.S Pat. No. 6,918,894 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/350,765 entitled “HUBER NEEDLE WITH ANTI-REBOUND SAFETY MECHANISM” filed Jan. 24, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,878,136 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/360,406 entitled “HUBER NEEDLE WITH ANTI-REBOUND MECHANISM” filed Feb. 28, 2002, the entirety of the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to medical needle devices, and more particularly to an improved, passive safety needle device featuring a sheath assembly which is designed to be outwardly deployable and enclose the exposed portion of an affixed needle therewithin so as to protect its user against inadvertent needle-stick injuries.

Needle-stick injuries are common and are of great concern in today's health-care industry. A vast majority of these injuries occur while withdrawing conventional Huber needles from implanted IV ports after administering medicants such as antibiotics or chemotherapy.

More specifically, a great deal of force is required during Huber needle withdrawal to overcome the resistance of the port's septum. Since a non-dominant hand is typically used in this process to secure the implanted port, it often becomes stuck on the rebound of the Huber needle.

Because a Huber needle is utilized for venous access, such needle-stick injury as described above presents a high risk for pathogen transmission. An exposed and/or injured health-care worker must be tested for various blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

Such testing is usually repeated to ensure that the exposed and/or injured health-care worker is not infected of those pathogens. As a further precaution, boosting of immunity may simultaneously take place as an additional insurance of safety.

In order to alleviate the dangers associated with needle-stick injuries, some health-care workers have fashioned home-made guards to protect their non-dominant hands. However, these home-made guards are not user-friendly as the health-care workers must make the conscious choice to wear them every time an injection is made.

The health-care workers may sometimes neglect to put them on because they are either inconvenient to use, interfere with the process of administering the Huber needle or the health-care workers may just simply forget to wear them. All of these factors contribute to negating the guards' effectiveness to protect the health-care workers against the dangers of needle-stick injuries.

In view of the above-described shortcomings of conventional needle guards, there exists a need in the art for a safety needle guard which can protect health-care workers against the dangers of needle-stick injuries in a convenient and user-friendly manner. More specifically, there exists a need for a safety needle guard which can be automatically implemented in a user passive manner during the needle injection process so as to consistently protect the health-care workers against the dangers of needle-stick injuries.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-referenced deficiencies associated with the use of the Huber needle guards of the prior art. More particularly, the present invention is an improved, passive safety needle device featuring a sheath assembly which is outwardly deployable relative to the exposed portion of its affixed needle. By such deployment, a physical barrier can be placed around the needle by the sheath assembly to protect a user from being inadvertently stuck by the needle, thus preventing needle-stick injuries and all the risks that are associated with them. Although this sheath assembly is intended to be used for Huber needle applications, it is specifically recognized herein that such sheath assembly may be used in conjunction with other types of conventional needle applications as well.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a passive safety needle device for protecting its user against a needle-stick injury. The safety needle device of the present invention first features a needle housing comprised of two substantially identical housing halves engaged to each other about their respective inner housing faces. Although such housing halves may be engaged in any manner or fashion, it is preferred that such engagement occurs through ultrasonic welding. Moreover, each of the two housing halves are preferably fabricated from a plastic material such as through the process of plastic injection molding.

The needle housing includes an internal groove which is elongated therewithin and communicates with its distal opening. This groove is preferably elongated in a manner as to substantially correspond to (i.e., be complementary to) the general arcuate curvature of the needle housing's upper surface. In this respect, the internal groove defines a bend radius which is complementary in shape to the upper housing surface.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the needle housing further includes a needle, of which its intermediate portion is disposed within the elongated groove. In this regard, that portion of the needle is formed in an arcuate configuration to match the bend radius of the groove so it can be accommodated therewithin. The needle utilized with the present needle device is preferably a stainless steel Huber needle having a non-coring distal needle point.

The needle defines a proximal needle portion which becomes exposed outside of the needle housing by extending through the needle housing's proximal opening. Flexible infusion tubing preferably made from silicone rubber and/or polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene surrounds this exposed proximal portion of the needle and connects to the needle housing through its proximal opening. The infusion tube or tubing can be maintained in this position by the engagement of the two housing halves which compress on the tubing.

A distal portion of the needle is defined generally opposite to the proximal needle portion. The needle portion is retained outside of the needle housing as it is extended downward through the distal housing opening. The distal needle portion forms a needle point at its exposed end which is used for penetrating the patient's skin and accessing the implanted port.

In the preferred embodiment, the needle housing has a lower housing surface that defines a lower housing recess. This recess is primarily intended for accommodating a hold-down platform. The hold-down platform may be engaged within the recess through a variety attachment procedures such as adhesive or fastener. By providing platform strips which radially extend outward from such location of engagement, the hold-down platform may be placed near the injection point and be used for securing the safety needle device upon the patient by means of taping over the platform strips and the patient's skin. Preferably, the hold-down platform has a generally circular or rectangular configuration, and is fabricated from either a rubber or plastic material.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an elongate sheath assembly is provided within the needle housing. More specifically, this sheath assembly is situated within the groove when disposed in a retracted position surrounding the intermediate portion of the needle. The sheath assembly has an axial length that is substantially identical to that of the elongated groove. Although the sheath assembly may be formed from various materials, it is preferably formed as an elongate wound stainless steel wire tube and/or semi-rigid polymer such as polyethylene or Teflon.

The sheath assembly of the preferred embodiment defines a distal sheath end. Attached to this end is a distal tip component which preferably comprises a transparent plastic tip. The tip component can be either insert molded or adhered to the distal sheath end. The distal tip component forms a distal tip having a diameter which is generally greater than that of the groove but substantially equal to or less than the diameter of the distal housing opening.

The sheath assembly further defines a proximal sheath end generally opposite to the distal sheath end. Attached to the proximal sheath end is a proximal tip component having a diameter which is generally greater than the diameter of the groove's distal opening. As will be discussed more fully below, such configuration allows the sheath assembly to stop once reaching the fully extended position, that is, the distal tip component being advanced over and beyond the distal needle point while enclosing the distal needle portion with the sheath assembly. Although other types of tip components may be contemplated, the proximal tip component utilized with the present invention is preferably formed as a stainless steel or plastic ferrule.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a biasing member is provided within the needle housing. This biasing member is used for passively moving the sheath assembly along the groove between the retracted and extended positions. The biasing member is connected between the proximal tip component and a knob member disposed on the exterior of the needle housing.

The knob member allows the user to control the movement of the sheath assembly along the elongated groove. This is possible due to the mechanical connections with the proximal tip component of the sheath assembly and the biasing member. Because the preferred biasing member comprises a torsional biasing member which is configured to naturally urge the sheath assembly towards the extended position, the user may utilize the knob member to control the sheath assembly when moving along that direction. In the preferred embodiment, the biasing member comprises either a torsional arm or torsional spring. However, other types of biasing members are contemplated as they may also achieve the ultimate objective of passively deploying the sheath assembly outwardly with respect to the distal needle portion.

In accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, a passive safety needle device of modified structure is disclosed herein. This specific safety needle device is essentially designed to perform the same function as that of the above-described needle device through the use of a modified structural configuration. More specifically, it utilizes a different type of proximal tip component at the proximal sheath end for moving the sheath assembly along the groove.

In lieu of using a ferrule as the proximal tip component, the alternately configured needle device comprises a tip body which is preferably fabricated through plastic molding. Although other forms of attachment are contemplated herein, the tip body is preferably barb fitted through the proximal sheath end of the sheath assembly. This enables the tip body to be fixedly secured to the sheath assembly which allows it to transition along the groove when the tip body is urged by the biasing member (e.g., torsion spring) to move therealong.

The tip body is releasibly mounted upon a trigger member which is structurally configured to be elongated from within the needle housing to the outside thereof. In particular, the tip body is designed to maintain the sheath assembly in the retracted position against the force of the biasing member. To accomplish this, the trigger member extends a tip retaining projection through the tip body from its end which is disposed within the needle housing. Its opposite end is exposed through the needle housing and serves as a trigger mechanism for passively moving the tip body, and hence the sheath assembly, from the retracted position to the extended position. More particularly, the trigger member maintains the tip body and the sheath assembly in the retracted position until the tip body is manually released from the tip retaining projection. Such release of the tip body is performed by pressing the exposed end of the trigger member towards the needle housing. This causes the tip retaining projection to slip out from the tip body and free the tip body from its holding. Due to its connection with the biasing member which applies force towards the extended position, the tip body is automatically caused thereby to be moved in that direction, hence effectuating the same directional movement of the sheath assembly as well.

Similar to the above-described proximal tip component, the tip body possesses a body size which is substantially larger than the distal opening of the groove. This allows the tip body to stop once reaching and abutting the portion of the groove forming the narrowed distal opening. Upon reaching such positioning, the sheath assembly should now be deployed outside of the needle housing and be extended over the entirety of the needle's distal portion, including its tip. The sheath assembly is projected to remain outwardly deployed since the spring force applied by the biasing member would urge the tip body against the converged portion of the groove which forms its distal opening.

In accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, a different version of the passive safety needle device is described herein. This version of the safety needle device is also designed to perform the same function as the needle devices of the first and second embodiments. However, the third embodied needle device employs the use of a wholly different sheath releasing concept in doing so. More particularly, it eliminates the need for any type of proximal tip component such as a ferrule (as used in the first preferred embodiment) or a tip body (as used in the second preferred embodiment) at the proximal sheath end for retaining, releasing and moving the sheath assembly along the groove.

Rather, the safety needle device of the third embodiment utilizes an extension of its biasing member (e.g., torsional arm) to connect directly to the proximal end of the sheath assembly. Specifically, such extension extends out from the biasing member substantially parallel to the inner housing surfaces of the needle housing. Upon reaching the proximate location of the proximal sheath end, an end portion of the biasing member's extension is curved or bent toward the proximal sheath end, preferably forming a generally perpendicular relationship with the inner housing surfaces. That end portion is then ultimately connected through the proximal sheath end of the sheath assembly.

In particular, the extension's end portion is inserted through one side of the proximate sheath end and is allowed to come out of the generally opposing side thereof. This allows the extension to be connected to the proximate sheath end, thereby placing the biasing member in mechanical connection with the sheath assembly. Preferably, the end portion of the extension is curved or bent backward in the general direction of the biasing member so as to prevent it from inadvertently slipping out or disconnecting from the proximal sheath end unless the proximal sheath end somehow becomes torn or ruptured.

Similar to the second embodiment, the safety needle device of the third embodiment utilizes a trigger member for retaining and releasing the sheath assembly. Like the version described in the second embodiment, the trigger member utilized in the third embodiment has one end disposed within the needle housing and an opposite end disposed outside the needle housing. Essentially, this trigger member is also operative to release the retained sheath assembly via pressing the exposed outside end thereof towards the needle housing. Upon such action, the torsional force of the biasing member causes the sheath assembly to be automatically moved toward the extended position.

However, the tip retaining projection formed adjacent the internally located end of the trigger member is structurally different from the version illustrated in the second embodiment. In particular, the tip retaining projection directly engages the end portion of the biasing member's extension when the extension and proximal sheath end are retracted back in the retracted position. More particularly, the tip retaining projection of the third embodiment extends upward and away from the internally located end of the trigger member.

Formed at the projected end of the tip retaining projection is its engaging portion which directly engages the end portion of the biasing member. The engaging portion is positioned generally perpendicular to the projected end of the tip retaining projection and comprises a notch which faces toward the trigger member. This notch is used for releasibly engaging the end portion of the biasing member's extension until the trigger member is manually pressed. More specifically, the notch of the engaging portion preferably hooks a section of the extension's end portion which is defined either prior or subsequent to the insertion into proximal sheath end. In the preferred embodiment, the notch has a smooth and continuous surface so that the extension's end portion may be easily dislodged therefrom when the trigger member is pressed inward by the user's finger, hence deploying the sheath assembly outside the needle housing.

Upon the outward deployment of the sheath assembly, the proximate sheath end is designed to stop once reaching the distal opening of the needle housing's groove. This is possible because the extension of the biasing member will come in contact with the lower inner housing surface of the needle housing and be forced to stop its movement upon such contact. Due to its engagement to the proximal sheath end, the extension in turn forces the proximal sheath end to stop its movement about the distal opening. This results in the sheath assembly to be deployed outside the needle housing and be extended over the entirety of the needle's distal portion, including its tip. The sheath assembly should remain outwardly deployed as the spring force of the biasing member urges the extension tightly against the lower inner housing surface of the needle housing.

The operation of the safety needle device of the first embodiment is described herein to illustrate the operation of the safety needle device of the second and third embodiments as well. The safety needle device of the first embodiment is designed to protect a user from inadvertent needle stick during withdrawal of the needle from the patient. More specifically, the distal needle point is first injected into a designated skin area of the patient to access the implanted IV port. By such penetration, various tasks such as delivering fluids and medications, drawing blood for diagnostic testing and/or infusing blood products may be conducted. Optionally, the needle device can be secured in place by taping its platform strips to the patient's surrounding skin area.

After performing any one of the tasks as described above, the needle is withdrawn from the patient. While withdrawing the needle, the sheath assembly is deployed outwardly and passively from within the needle device relative to the distal needle portion resulting in the distal needle portion being completely enclosed and/or surrounded by the outwardly deployed sheath assembly. Such process can be facilitated by using the externally located knob member which allows the user to control the outward deployment of the sheath assembly. In the case of the second or third embodied safety needle device, the trigger member can be manually pressed inward to automatically trigger the outward deployment of the sheath assembly.

The needle device is then ready for proper disposal in a Sharps container or other container designated for used medical devices.

In accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, a passive safety needle device is described hererin. In particular, the device has similar construction compared to the devices of the first through third embodiments. However, the device of the fourth preferred embodiment is different in that it reorients the biasing member and further includes an indexer. In the fourth preferred embodiment, the biasing member is oriented such that its centerline is parallel with the needle's distal needle portion, whereas the centerlines of the prior embodiments' biasing members are perpendicular to their respective needle's distal needle portion. This reorientation of the biasing member enables a longer protective sheath to be inserted into an internal arcuate groove such that a longer needle compared to the previously discussed embodiments may be covered by the protective sheath.

With respect to the indexer, the same is capable of adjusting a spring force of the biasing member. In particular, the indexer may have a cylindrical configuration. The indexer may be attached to the housing and the biasing member such that rotating the indexer is operative to increase or decrease the spring force of the biasing member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a safety needle device constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating its needle housing having generally rectangular platform strips radially extending outward therefrom;

FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the safety needle device of FIG. 1 and illustrating the manner in which a sheath assembly is extended from within its needle housing;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the safety needle device of FIG. 1 illustrating the manner in which a sheath assembly is retracted within its needle housing;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the safety needle device of FIG. 1 and illustrating a needle's exposed distal portion which extends downward out of its needle housing;

FIG. 5 a is a top view of the safety needle device of FIG. 1 illustrating the flexible infusion tubing which is connected through a proximal opening of its needle housing;

FIG. 5 b is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG. 5 a, illustrating a proximal notch which is used for retaining a sheath assembly in a retracted position;

FIG. 6 a is a front view of the safety needle device of FIG. 1 illustrating a needle's distal portion which is disposed generally perpendicular to the radially extending platform strips;

FIG. 6 b is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG. 6 a, illustrating a distal notch which is used for securing a sheath assembly in an extended position;

FIG. 7 a is a side view of a needle having a bent intermediate portion which corresponds to the configuration of an elongate groove formed within the needle housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 b is a partial side view of the needle of FIG. 7 a and illustrating its distal portion which defines a non-coring pointed end;

FIG. 8 a is a front perspective view of a torsional arm which is used for moving the sheath assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 between the retracted and extended positions;

FIG. 8 b is a top view of the torsional arm of FIG. 8 a and illustrating the direction in which it bends when being inserted within proximal and distal notches of the needle housing;

FIG. 8 c is a side view of the torsional arm of FIG. 8 a illustrating the direction in which it bends when the sheath assembly is moved between the retracted and extended positions;

FIG. 9 a is a side view of one housing half which is used to form the needle housing of FIG. 1 when engaged with the other housing half;

FIG. 9 b is a perspective view of the housing half of FIG. 9 a illustrating pegs formed about an inner housing face thereof;

FIG. 9 c is a top view of the housing half of FIG. 9 a illustrating its upper housing surface forming a proximal notch;

FIG. 9 d is a rear view of the housing half of FIG. 9 a illustrating its side housing surface forming finger-graspable projections;

FIG. 10 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the sheath assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrating its proximal and distal tip components;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the safety needle device of FIG. 1 and illustrating its needle housing which uses generally half-circular platform strips as an alternative to the generally rectangular platform strips;

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the safety needle device of FIG. 11 illustrating the use of a torsional spring as an alternative to the torsional arm;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a safety needle device constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating its needle housing having generally half-circular platform strips extending outwardly therefrom;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the safety needle device of FIG. 13 and illustrating the manner in which its tip body is barb fitted through an end of the sheath assembly;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the safety needle device of FIG. 13 and illustrating its trigger member which retains the tip body and the sheath assembly in a retracted position;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the safety needle device of FIG. 13 and illustrating its needle housing which portrays an alternate outer configuration than the one shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a safety needle device constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating its needle housing which includes a layer of padding thereunder;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the safety needle device of FIG. 17 and illustrating the manner in which its biasing member is engaged through an end of the sheath assembly;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the safety needle device of FIG. 17 and illustrating its trigger member which retains the biasing member and the sheath assembly in a retracted position;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a safety needle device constructed in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrates a centerline of a biasing member being parallel with a needle's distal needle portion (i.e., a biasing member rotated ninety (90) degrees compared to the biasing members of the devices of the first through third preferred embodiments of the present invention);

FIG. 21 is an assembled perspective view of the device of FIG. 20 and illustrates the protective sheath in a retracted position;

FIG. 22 is an assembled perspective view of the device of FIG. 20 and illustrates the protective sheath in an extended position;

FIG. 23 is an assembled perspective view of the device of FIG. 20 and illustrates the trigger member in a first position and the catch in a retain position;

FIG. 24 is an assembled perspective view of the device of FIG. 20 and illustrates the trigger member in a second position, the catch in a release position and a protective sheath covering the needle tip;

FIG. 25 is a top view of the device of FIG. 20;

FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 20 and illustrates that an indexer is engaged to a housing and biasing member; and

FIG. 27 is a transverse cross sectional view of FIG. 20 with respect to FIG. 26.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates a passive safety needle device 10 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As indicated above, the present safety needle device 10 features a sheath assembly 12 which is outwardly deployable with respect to the distal needle portion 14, that is, the exposed portion of its affixed needle 16 which is used to access an IV port implanted underneath a patient's designated skin area (not shown).

As will be soon discussed, such passive deployment of the sheath assembly 12 provides a tangible physical barrier around the distal needle portion 14 to protect a user from being inadvertently stuck by the needle 16, thereby preventing needle-stick injuries and all the risks associated therewith. Although the sheath assembly 12 is preferably used for Huber needle applications, it is expressly contemplated herein that such sheath assembly 12 may be used for other types of conventional needle applications as well.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 9 a-9 c, the safety needle device 10 includes a needle housing 18. Although this needle housing 18 may be formed from a unitary construction, it is preferably constructed from two substantially identical housing halves 20, 22 which are assembled to each other about their respective inner housing faces 24. The first housing half 20 includes at least one peg 26 that can be retained within at least one corresponding aperture (not shown) provided on the second housing half 22. The permanent engagement between the two housing halves 20, 22 is preferably accomplished with adhesive or ultrasonic welding or snap fit engagement.

The two substantially identical housing halves 20, 22 may be fabricated from any rigid material. However, the material of choice is a polymer (i.e., plastic). In this respect, the manufacture of each housing half 20 or 22 may be greatly expedited through utilizing the process of plastic injection molding techniques.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 d and 11, the exterior of the needle housing 18 preferably includes plural projections 30 to ease in the handling of the present safety needle device 10. These projections 30 may be formed on one or both sides 32 of the needle housing 18. As can be seen from the specified figures, the finger-graspable projections 30 may be provided as a group of linearly configured projections (as shown in FIG. 9 d) or arcuately configured projections (as shown in FIG. 11).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the needle housing 18 includes an internal arcuate groove 34 which initiates intermediate the housing and extends to a distal opening 36 of the needle housing 18. Preferably, the groove 34 is formed in a generally complementary configuration to the general arcuate curvature of the needle housing's upper surface 38. As such, the internal groove 34 has a bend radius which closely simulates the bend radius of the upper housing surface 38.

The needle housing also contains a needle 16, of which an intermediate portion 40 thereof is disposed within the elongated groove 34. The intermediate needle portion 40 is sufficiently formed (i.e., bent to closely match the bend radius of the internal groove 34 so as to be accommodatingly disposed therewithin). The needle 16 preferably used with the present safety needle device 10 comprises a stainless steel Huber needle. However, other types of needles such as a conventional hypodermic syringe needle may be workable with the present safety needle device 10. Preferably, the needle 16 has a needle point 42 which is non-coring but use of the coring needle point may be contemplated. Of course, the needle point 42 is intended for penetrating a designated area of the patient's skin and accessing an IV port implanted underneath.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a proximal needle portion 44 of the needle 16. The proximal needle portion 44 is exposed outside of the needle housing 19 by extending through a proximal opening 46 thereof. This needle portion 44 is connected to a flexible infusion tube or tubing 48, in one end 50 of which is rigidly connected to the needle housing 18 through its proximal opening 46. The other end (not shown) of the infusion tubing is typically placed in communication with a conventional syringe or an infusion pump (not shown).

Referring specifically to FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, needle-retaining projections 52 are preferably formed adjacent the proximal opening 46. These projections 52 provide an interference and mechanical lock on the tubing 48 when the two housing halves 20, 22 are assembled. Moreover, the portion of the needle 16 which lies between the groove 34 and the proximal opening 46 may be secured in place through the use of a fitting track 54 or adhesive.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 a-7 b, a distal needle portion 14 is provided generally opposite to the proximal needle portion 44. The distal needle portion 14 is exposed outside of the needle housing 18 extending downwardly through the distal housing opening 36. As briefly mentioned above, this portion 14 forms a needle point 42 at its exposed end which is used for penetrating the patient's skin and accessing the implanted subcutaneous IV port.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 6 a and 11, the needle housing 18 has a lower housing surface 56 which defines a recess 58 underneath. This lower housing recess 58 is utilized for accommodating a hold-down platform 60. More specifically, the hold-down platform 60 is maintained within the recess 58 by various conventional attachment means (i.e., adhesive, fasteners, or the like).

The hold-down platform 60 features at least two platform strips 62 which radially extend out from the needle housing 18. In this respect, the platform strips 62 are disposed in a manner as to form a generally perpendicular relationship with the distal needle portion 14. The hold-down platform 60 is primarily used to secure the safety needle device 10 upon the patient while infusion takes place by means of taping over the platform strips 62 and the patient's skin. The platform 60 may be fabricated from any rigid or semi-rigid material such as plastic or rubber. In one configuration, the hold-down platform 60 is formed having a generally circular configuration (best shown in FIG. 11). In the other configurations, it is formed having a generally rectangular configuration (best shown in FIG. 1).

FIGS. 2, 3 and 10-12 depict an elongate sheath assembly 64 and illustrates its ability to move from within to and out of the needle housing 18. In particular, the elongate sheath assembly 64 is disposed in a retracted position designated by the numeral 66 within the internal groove 34 of the needle housing 18 in a manner as to surround the intermediate needle portion 40. The assembly 64 has a longitudinal length that is substantially equal or somewhat longer than the arcuate length of the internal groove 34. Obviously, the sheath assembly 64 has a diameter which is less than that of the groove 34 so as to allow its axial movement therewithin. Although the sheath assembly 64 may be formed from various materials, it is preferably made from an elongated wound wire constructed of stainless steel (as shown in FIG. 10).

The sheath assembly 64 includes a distal end 68 which mounts to a distal tip component 70. Preferably, the distal tip component 70 is fabricated from a plastic, preferably transparent, material. However, the distal tip component 70 should in no way be limited to such construction as other forms of rigid or semi-rigid tips (e.g., metal or rubber tips) may be used in lieu thereof. The distal tip component 70 is attached to the distal sheath end 68 either through the process of insert molding or adhesive. The tip component 70 may include a distal tip 72 having a diameter size generally greater than that of the groove's distal opening 78, but substantially equal to or lesser than the diameter of the distal housing opening 36 (as shown in FIG. 3). Alternatively, the diameter of the distal tip 72 may be sized to be somewhat similar to the diameter of the distal groove opening 78 (as shown in FIG. 11).

The sheath assembly 64 further includes a proximal sheath end 74 which is located generally opposite to the distal sheath end 68. A proximal tip component 76 is attached to the proximal sheath end 74. Similar to the distal tip component 70, the proximal tip component 76 can be attached via insert molding or adhesive. The tip component 76 has a diameter size which is generally greater than the diameter of the groove's distal opening 78. Such diameter size of the proximal tip component 76 facilitates stopping the sheath assembly 64 once it has reached its fully extended position designated generally by the numeral 80 (i.e., the distal tip component 70 being advanced over and beyond the distal needle point 42 while enclosing the distal needle portion 14 with the sheath assembly 64). Although other types of tip components may be used, the proximal tip component 76 is preferably fabricated as a stainless steel or plastic ferrule.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 8 a-8 c and 12, the needle housing 18 includes a biasing member 82 therewithin. This biasing member 82 is secured in place within its allocated track 84 which prevents it from bending. A blind hole 86 is also provided as a further insurance in securing the biasing member 82. Cored-out pockets 88 are defined about the biasing member 82 in order to maintain a constant wall thickness. A top projection 90 is also provided on each of the housing halves 20, 22 to resist squeezing the track 84 together and to prevent the free movement of the biasing member 82 when removing the needle 16 from the patient. The biasing member 82 is used for moving the sheath assembly 64 along the groove 34 between the retracted and extended positions 66, 80. This can be accomplished through its engagement to the proximal tip component 76 and to an outwardly exposed knob member 92.

The knob member 92 is provided external to the needle housing 18 and allows the user to manually and passively control the movement of the sheath assembly 64 along the elongated internal groove 34.

More specifically, an extension 94 of the biasing member 82 is connected to a recess 96 (shown in FIG. 10) formed on the proximal tip component 76. The biasing member's extension 94 forms a circular bend portion 95 which extends around the proximal tip component's recess 96. The extension 94 further extends out and attaches to the knob member 92 via insert molding or adhesive. Due to the torsional spring property of biasing member 82 which naturally urges the sheath assembly 64 toward the extended position 80, the user may utilize the knob member 92 to control the sheath assembly 64 when passively moving from its retracted to extended position.

The biasing member 82 is preferably fabricated from a resilient material such as stainless spring steel or Nitinol. Due to such elastic nature, the extension 94 of the biasing member 82 is capable of bending vertically when the sheath assembly 64 is moved between the retracted and extended positions 66, 80 (best shown in FIG. 8 c). As illustrated in FIG. 8 b, it can even bend sideways when the extension 94 is snapped into the proximal notch 98 (for maintaining the retracted position 66) or into the distal notch 100 (for maintaining the extended position 80). The biasing member 82 used with the present safety needle device 10 can take the form of a torsional arm or a torsional spring.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 16, there is shown a passive safety needle device 110 which is constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The alternately embodied safety needle device 110 is essentially designed to perform the same function as that of the above-described needle device 10, that is, to passively extend its sheath assembly 122 over the distal portion 114 of the needle 116 (i.e., Huber needle), and hence provide effective protection against dangers of needle-stick injuries. However, it accomplishes such objective through a structural configuration which is somewhat different than the one disclosed above.

First, although the safety needle device 110 of the second embodiment may utilize a similar or identical needle housing 18 as described above, it may alternatively display its own unique type of needle housing 118 which is aesthetically different therefrom. Such needle housing 118 is exemplified in FIG. 16 and as can be seen from that figure, its outer shape or configuration is substantially similar as its counterpart shown in FIG. 11. One major difference between them, however, is that the needle housing 118 of FIG. 16 eliminates the need for any finger-graspable projections 30 and rather provides a substantially continuous and smooth outer surface in lieu thereof. Furthermore, the needle housing 118 is preferably fabricated from a plastic material and may optionally characterize a transparent or semi-transparent body.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the safety needle device 110 of the second embodiment additionally utilizes a different type of proximal tip component 126 for passively moving the sheath assembly 122 out of the groove 124 and over the needle 116. Instead of using a ferrule as the proximal tip component 76, the alternative safety needle device 110 utilizes a specially manufactured tip body 126 in its place (best shown in FIG. 15). Although this tip body 126 may be fabricated from any rigid material, it is preferably made through plastic molding.

The tip body 126 is attached to the sheath assembly 122 at its proximal sheath end 128. It is contemplated herein that the tip body 126 may become attached to the proximal sheath end 128 by various methods of attachment such as fastening or adhering. Preferably, however, the tip body 126 is attached through barb fitting method. More particularly, the tip body 126 defines a tip protrusion 130 which is extended through and pressed into the proximal sheath end 128 of the sheath assembly 122. Such barb fitting of the tip protrusion 130 into the proximal sheath end enables the tip body 126 to be securely affixed to the sheath assembly 122 thereat. This in turn allows the sheath assembly 122 to passively transition along the groove 124 and be deployed outside of the needle housing 118 when the tip body 126 is caused to move in that direction by the biasing member 132 that it is connected to. Although other types of biasing members 132 such as a torsional arm may be utilized for this purpose, it is preferred that a torsional spring is used as the biasing member 132 of the alternately embodied safety needle device 110 (shown in FIG. 15).

The specially manufactured tip body 126 is releasibly mounted upon a trigger member 134 which is specifically designed for the purpose of retaining and releasing the tip body 126. In order to accomplish such objective, the trigger member 134 possesses a structural configuration which is sufficient to be elongated from within the needle housing 118 to the outside thereof. Although the trigger member 134 may be variously configured and/or shaped, it is preferably elongated in a bar-like configuration. Such configuration of the trigger member 134 facilitates in maintaining the tip body 126 in place against the spring force applied by the biasing member 132.

More specifically, the trigger member 134 includes a tip retaining projection 136 which is adapted to engage an opening 138 formed through the tip body 126. This projection 136 is formed adjacent an inner end 140 of the trigger member 134 which is disposed within the needle housing 118. The tip retaining projection 136 extends from about the inner end 140 of the trigger member 134 towards an outer end 142 thereof where it engages the opening 138 of the tip body 126 mounted therebetween.

As briefly mentioned above, the outer end 142 of the trigger member 134 is exposed through the needle housing 118 and serves as a trigger mechanism for moving the tip body 126 toward the distal opening 144 of the groove 124. Due to its barb fitting arrangement with the sheath assembly 122, the movement of the tip body 126 effectuates the passive movement of the sheath assembly 122 from the retracted position 146 to the extended position (not shown).

The manner of repositioning the sheath assembly 122 to the extended position is accomplished through the release of the tip body 126 from the trigger member 134. Essentially, the tip retaining projection 136 of the trigger member 134 maintains the tip body 126 and the sheath assembly 122 in the retracted position 146 until the tip body 126 is manually released from the trigger member 134. This automatically triggers the tip body 126 and the sheath assembly 122 to move towards the extended position. Such release of the tip body 126 is performed by manually pushing in the outer end 142 of the trigger member 134 towards the needle housing 118. This causes the tip retaining projection 136 to slip out from the opening 138 and free the tip body 126 from its holding.

Because the biasing member 132 is mechanically connected to the tip body 126 to apply a spring force toward the distal opening 144 of the groove 124, the tip body 126 is automatically caused by the biasing member 132 to be urged in that direction and form the extended position. Due to its barb fitting connection with the proximal sheath end 128, the tip body 126 pushes the sheath assembly 122 towards the distal opening 144 of the groove 124. This effectuates the sheath assembly 122 to be passively deployed outside of the needle housing 118 and form the extended position with respect to the distal portion 114 of the needle 116.

Similar to the above-described proximal tip component 76, the tip body 126 possesses a body size which is substantially larger than the distal opening 144 of the groove 124. Because of its larger body size, the tip body 126 is forced to stop once it reaches and abuts the portion of the groove 124 which converges inwardly to narrow the distal opening 144 thereof However, the size of the distal opening 144 is sufficiently large enough to allow the sheath assembly 122 to pass therethrough and be deployed outside of the needle housing 118 to extend over the entirety of the distal needle portion 114. The sheath assembly 122 remains in this outwardly deployed configuration as the spring force of the biasing member 132 continuously urges the tip body 126 against the converged portion of the groove 124 which forms its narrowed distal opening 144.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 19, there is shown another passive safety needle device 150 which is constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The passive safety needle device 150 of the third embodiment is essentially a modified version of the previously defined needle devices 10, 110 and is designed to perform the same function (i.e., deter needle-stick injuries). However, as will be explained below, a different sheath releasing concept is employed for covering the needle 152 in order to protect its users against the dangers of needle-stick injuries.

But prior to describing the specifics of such unique sheath releasing concept, it should be briefly pointed out herein that the needle housing 154 of the third embodied safety needle device 150 may optionally comprise a layer of padding 156 underneath so as to increase its user-friendliness (e.g., provide softening cushion upon user's chest) during needle applications. However, this is strictly an optional feature, and is not absolutely necessary as exemplified in the safety needle devices 10, 110 of the first and second embodiments.

In particular, the layer of padding 156 is attached underneath a platform 158 of the needle housing 154 and further conforms to the configuration thereof. Preferably, it is adhered thereto via an adhesive (e.g., glue or bond) but a person of ordinary skill in the art will contemplate that other types of attachment means may be used instead. Although various materials may be used to fabricate this layer of padding 156, it is preferably made from a foam material, and more preferably a closed-cell foam material.

Turning now to the additional uniqueness of the third embodiment, FIGS. 18 and 19 show an overall sheath releasing mechanism which specifically eliminates the need for any type of proximal tip component 76 such as a ferrule (as used in the first preferred embodiment) or a tip body 126 (as used in the second preferred embodiment). More specifically, the safety needle device 150 of the third embodiment is capable of retaining, releasing and moving the sheath assembly 160 along the needle housing's groove 162 without using those components at the proximal sheath end 164.

Instead, the passive safety needle device 150 of the third embodiment operates to move the sheath assembly 160 from a retracted position 166 to an extended position 168 directly with its biasing member 170, preferably a torsional arm. More specifically, this biasing member 170 forms an extension 172 which extends outwardly therefrom in a substantially parallel relationship with respect to the inner housing surfaces 174 of the needle housing towards the proximal end 164 of the sheath assembly 160. Upon reaching the proximate location of the proximal sheath end 164, an end portion 176 of the extension 172 is curved or bent generally perpendicular with respect to the inner housing surfaces 174 toward the proximal sheath end 164. The extension's end portion 176 is then connected through the proximal sheath end 164.

More specifically, the end portion 176 of the extension 172 becomes connected to the proximal sheath end 164 by being inserted through one particular side of the proximate sheath end 164. Although the end portion 176 may be retained within the proximal sheath end 164 for connection, it is preferably inserted all the way therethrough so as to extend out of the generally opposing side of the proximal sheath end 164. The end portion 176 of the extension 172 is then curved or bent backward in the general direction of the biasing member 170. This helps to prevent the end portion 176 from unintentionally slipping out or disconnecting from the proximal end 164 of the sheath assembly 160 unless that end 164 becomes torn or ruptured. In this manner, the biasing member 170 and the sheath assembly 160 become mechanically connected with each other.

As specifically illustrated in FIG. 19, the safety needle device 150 of the third embodiment also employs the use of a trigger member 178 for retaining and releasing the sheath assembly 160. Similar to the version used in the second embodiment, the trigger member 178 utilized in the third embodiment has an inner end 180 disposed within the needle housing 154 and an outer end 182 disposed outside thereof. Likewise, this trigger member 178 is also operative to release the retracted sheath assembly 160 when the user presses the exposed outer end 182 towards the needle housing 154. Upon such manual activation, the torsional force produced by the biasing member 170 inevitably causes the sheath assembly 160 to automatically slide along the groove 164 and form the extended position 168 over the needle 152.

FIG. 19 further shows a tip retaining projection 184 which is formed adjacent the inner end 180 of the trigger member 178. As can be seen from that figure, the tip retaining projection 184 utilized in the third preferred embodiment is structurally different from its counterpart version used in the second embodiment. Such structurally distinguishable features allow the tip retaining projection 184 to directly engage the end portion 176 of the biasing member's extension 172 when the extension 172 and proximal sheath end 164 are maintained in the retracted position 166.

The tip retaining projection 184 utilized in the third embodiment extends upward and away from the inner end 180 of the trigger member 178. At the end of such extension, the tip retaining projection 184 defines a projected end 186 forming an engaging portion 188 which corresponds to the end portion 176 of the extension 172 and directly engages therewith. Specifically, this engaging portion 188 is in general perpendicular disposition relative to the projected end 186 of the tip retaining projection 184 and further comprises a notch 190 which faces or opens up toward the trigger member 178. The notch 190 is used for releasibly engaging the end portion 176 of the biasing member's extension 172 until the trigger member 178 is manually pressed toward the needle housing 154.

Preferably, the notch 190 of the engaging portion 188 is designed and used to hook a section of the extension's end portion 176 which is defined either prior or subsequent to the insertion into proximal sheath end 164. To facilitate the release of the extension 172, the notch 190 is formed of a smooth and continuous surface so as to allow the extension's end portion 176 to be easily dislodged therefrom without being caught or interfered by any surface configuration.

Upon the dislodging of the end portion 178, the sheath assembly 160 is caused to be outwardly deployed. The proximate sheath end 164 is designed to stop once reaching the distal opening 192 of the needle housing's groove 162. More specifically, the proximal sheath end 164 is inevitably stopped in such position as the extension 172 of the biasing member 170 comes in contact with the lower inner housing surface 194 of the needle housing 154. Such contact of the extension 172 would forcibly stop the sliding movement of the sheath assembly 160 along the groove 162.

Due to the engagement of the extension 172 with the proximal sheath end 164, the extension 172 in turn forces the sheath assembly 160 to stop its movement when the proximal sheath end 164 reaches about the distal opening 192 of the groove 162. Such specified configuration results in the sheath assembly 160 to be deployed outside the needle housing 154 and be extended over the entirety of the needle 152. Of course, the assembly 160 should be sufficiently sized and elongated to cover the entirety of the exposed needle 152. The sheath assembly 160 should remain outwardly deployed in that position since the spring force of the biasing member 170 urges its extension 172 tightly against the lower inner housing surface 194 of the needle housing 154.

With the structure defined, the operation of the safety needle device 10 of the first embodiment is described herein to essentially illustrate the operation of the safety needle device 110 of the second and third embodiments as well. The safety needle device 10 of the first embodiment is designed for the purpose of protecting a user from getting stuck when withdrawing the needle 16 from the patient. Initially, a user grabs the exterior of the housing having the distal needle point extending downwardly therefrom. The distal needle point 42 is then inserted into a designated skin area of the patient to access the implanted IV port. By such penetration, various tasks such as delivering fluids and medications, drawing blood for diagnostic testing and/or infusing blood products may be conducted. Optionally, the safety needle device 10 of the present invention can be secured in place by taping its radially extending platform strips 62 to the patient's surrounding skin area.

After performing any one of the tasks as described above, the needle 16 is withdrawn from the patient. While withdrawing the needle 16, the externally disposed knob member 92 is manipulated by the user to manually control the outward deployment of the sheath assembly 64 from its retracted position 66 to its extended position 68. Such movement is further facilitated by the torsional spring 82. When the sheath assembly 64 travels to its extended position 68, the sheath surrounds and covers the distal needle portion and needle tip thereby preventing any inadvertent needle stick to the user. In the case of the safety needle device of the second or third embodiment 110 or 150, the outward deployment of the sheath assembly 122 or 160 can take place by the manual pressing of the trigger member 134 or 178 which automatically triggers such deployment to occur.

The safety needle device 10 of the present invention is then ready for proper disposal. Preferably, the used safety needle device 10 is thrown away in a Sharps container which is designated for used medical devices.

Referring now to FIGS. 20-27, there is shown another passive safety needle device 200 which is constructed in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. The passive safety needle device 200 is essentially a modified version of the previously defined needle devices 10, 110, 150. It is designed to deter needle stick injuries much like the previously defined needle devices 10, 110, 150. However, the orientation of the biasing member 202 (see FIG. 20) is rotated ninety (90) degrees compared to the biasing members 82, 132, 170 of the first through third embodiments. The benefits of this altered orientation of the biasing member 202 is two fold: first, the device 200 has a lower profile compared to the previously defined needle devices 10, 110, 150; and second, the device of the fourth preferred embodiment is able to protect the patient from a needle stick injuries from distal needle portion 206 (see FIG. 21) that is longer compared to the distal needle portions 14, 114 in the previously defined needle devices.

FIG. 21 illustrates an assembled view of the device 200 of the fourth preferred embodiment. As can be seen from FIG. 21, the device 200 comprises a housing 208. The housing 208 is comprised of an upper half 210, a lower half 212, and a body 214, as shown in FIG. 21. As shown in FIG. 20, the body 214 has formed therein an internal arcuate groove 216 which may follow the configuration of the housing's outside peripheral surface 218. Disposed within the internal arcuate groove 216 is the needle 204 and the protective sheath 222 which covers the needle 204. The protective sheath 222 is also capable of sliding along distal needle portion 206 as well as the intermediate portion 224 of the needle 204.

The biasing member 202 is centrally located within the housing 208. In FIG. 20, the biasing member 202 is shown as a torsion spring. However, it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that other types of springs may be used such as a torsion arm. The biasing member 202 may define a centerline 225 which may be aligned with a centerline of the internal arcuate groove 216. Further, the biasing member's centerline 225 may be parallel with the distal needle portion 206 (see FIG. 20). The biasing member 202 may also have an extension 226 which is configured to engage the protective sheath 222 in an equivalent fashion compared to the end portion 176 of the third preferred embodiment or the circular bend portion 95 of the first preferred embodiment. The biasing member 202 may be translated between a retracted position and an extended position, as shown respectively in FIGS. 23 and 24. The spring force of the biasing member 202 may be greater at the retracted position compared to the spring force of the biasing member 202 at the extended position. In this regard, the biasing member 202 is biased to the extended position. Further, the retracted and extended positions of the biasing member 202 correspond to retracted and extended positions of the protective sheath 222, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 respectively.

The biasing member 202 and the protective sheath 222 may remain in the retracted position with the aid of a catch 228, as shown in FIG. 20. The catch 228 and its operation is most clearly shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. In particular, the catch 228 defines a retained position (i.e., up position as shown in FIG. 23) and a release position (i.e., down position as shown in FIG. 24). The catch 228 may be translated to the retain position after the biasing member 202 is translated to the retracted position. In this regard, the biasing member 202 may remain in the retracted position. The protective sheath 222 which is engaged to the extension 226 of the biasing member 202 may be translated to the extended position by translating the catch 228 to the release position. In this regard, the extension 226 is allowed to pass over the catch 228 and unwind until the protective sheath 222 covers the needle tip 230.

The spring force of the biasing member 202 may be adjusted higher or lower as desired. In particular, the biasing member 202 may engage an indexer 232 (see FIG. 20) which may be rotated counter clockwise to increase the spring force of the biasing member 202 and clockwise to decrease the spring force of the biasing member 202. As shown in FIG. 26, the indexer 232 may engage the biasing member 202 and the lower half 212 of the housing 208. In particular, the biasing member 202 may define an end portion 234 which slides into a slot 236 of the indexer 232 at its lower surface 238. And, the indexer 232 may have a cylindrical configuration with a plurality of apertures 240 (see FIG. 20 and 23) about its circumference. These apertures 240 may engage a pin 242 (see FIG. 26) that protrudes from the lower half 212 of the housing 208. Accordingly, the indexer 232 may be rotated counter clockwise and then the pin 232 may be inserted into the corresponding aperture 240 to increase the spring force of the biasing member 202. And, conversely, the indexer 232 may be rotated clockwise and then the pin 232 may be inserted into the corresponding aperture 240 to decrease the spring force of the biasing member 202. The counter clockwise and clockwise direction is defined with respect to FIG. 25.

The mechanism by which the catch 228 may be translated from the retain position to the release position is embodied in a trigger mechanism. In particular, the trigger mechanism comprises a trigger 244 is located on the exterior surface 218 of the housing 208 extends through the housing 208 and engages the catch 232. Further, the trigger 244 is translateable between first and second positions. The first position of the trigger is shown in FIG. 23, and the second position of the trigger is shown in FIG. 24. In the first position, the extension 226 of the biasing member 202 is retained in the catch 232. And, as the trigger 244 is translated to the second position, the trigger 244 engages the catch 232 and translates the catch 232 from the retain position to the release position. At which time, the biasing member's rotational force slides the protective sheath 222 within the internal arcuate groove 216 and covers the needle tip 230.

The various aspects of the present invention described through the first through third preferred embodiments above may be incorporated into the fourth preferred embodiment. For example, as stated above, the engagement between the biasing member extension 226 and the protective sheath 222 may be through the end portion 176 as described in the third embodiment or the circular bend portion 95 as described in the first embodiment. Further, the knob member 92 of the first embodiment, trigger member 134 of the second embodiment or the sheath releasing mechanism of the third embodiment may be alternatively incorporated into the fourth preferred embodiment. Conversely, the various aspects of the fourth embodiment of the present invention may be incorporated into the other embodiments discussed above.

Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A safety needle device for protecting a user against a needle-stick injury, the needle device comprising: a needle housing having a distal housing opening; a needle disposed within the needle housing and having a distal needle portion extending away therefrom through the distal housing opening; an elongate sheath assembly surrounding the needle; and a torsion member engaged to the sheath assembly and being configured to apply a force thereupon towards the distal housing opening as the torsion member moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the torsion member defining a rotational centerline which is offset from and generally parallel to the distal needle portion.
 2. The needle device of claim 1 further comprising an indexer engageable with the torsion member and the housing to increase or decrease a spring force of the torsion member applied on the sheath assembly.
 3. The needle device of claim 2 wherein the indexer has a cylindrical configuration with at least two apertures about its periphery, and the housing further has a pin fixed thereto which is sized and configured to be inserted into the aperture.
 4. The needle device of claim 1 wherein the needle housing comprises a groove elongated therewithin and communicating with the distal housing opening, the sheath assembly surrounding the needle within the groove.
 5. The needle device of claim 1 wherein the torsion member is a torsional arm.
 6. The needle device of claim 1 further comprising a catch to retain the torsion member in the retracted position.
 7. The needle device of claim 6 wherein the catch defines a retain position and a release position, and the device further comprises a trigger engageable with the catch and operative to translate the catch from the retain position to the release position.
 8. The needle device of claim 1 wherein the torsion member is solely a torsion spring.
 9. The safety needle device of claim 8 wherein the torsion spring has a helix portion which defines a helix axis, the helix axis being generally parallel to the distal needle portion.
 10. The safety needle device of claim 2 wherein the torsion member is a torsion spring which defines a leg and a moment arm, the moment arm being engaged to the sheath assembly, the indexer being attached to the leg and rotateable within a helix portion of the torsion spring to increase or decrease the spring force of the torsion member applied upon the sheath assembly.
 11. The safety needle device of claim 2 wherein the needle housing further has protuberances and the indexer has a plurality of holes sized and configured to receive the protuberances.
 12. A safety needle device for protecting a user against a needle-stick injury, the needle device comprising: a needle housing having a distal housing opening; a needle disposed within the needle housing and having a distal needle portion extending away therefrom through the distal housing opening; an elongate sheath assembly slideably surrounding the needle, the elongate sheath assembly having a retracted position wherein the elongate sheath exposes the needle distal portion and is generally perpendicularly oriented with respect to the distal needle portion for providing a low profile safety needle device, the elongate sheath assembly having an extended position wherein the elongate sheath is aligned to and covers the distal needle portion; and a torsion member engaged to the sheath assembly and being configured to apply a force thereupon to traverse the elongate sheath to the extended position, the torsion member defining a rotational centerline which is offset from and generally parallel to the distal needle portion.
 13. The safety needle device of claim 12 wherein the elongate sheath is flexible. 